At this year’s National Magazine Awards held on June 5 the jury awarded the prestigious prize of Magazine of the Year to Nouveau Projet, an independent French-language literary and cultural magazine published by Atelier 10 in Montreal.

Launched in 2012, the magazine’s mandate is to help us better understand the challenges of our time and lead a more balanced, satisfying and meaningful life. A catalyst and rallying point of progressive forces in Quebec in the 2010s, it seeks to encourage and nurture public discussion, while looking upon our time with a curious, sincere and thorough gaze.

In addition to winning Magazine of the Year, Nouveau Projet also won the Gold Medals for Art Direction of an Entire Issue and Words & Pictures, as well as the Silver Medal for Editorial Package and Honourable Mention in Fiction, Personal Journalism and Best Single Issue, marking a breakout performance that has piqued the interest of magazine readers and fellow members of the Canadian media industry.

Nouveau Projet editor Nicolas Langelier accepts the award for Magazine of the Year from NMAF President Joyce Byrne and Joanne Larocque-Poirier, Head of Prizes for Canada Council for the Arts. (Photo: Dave Todon / KlixPix)

Nouveau Projet is a near-perfect symbiosis of subject matter, expert writing and exceptionally original design. It sets itself apart thanks to inspiring themes and bold covers. The magazine offers a fresh take on the genre and dares to cover topics that are virtually absent in other media. The energy of the editorial team is tangible page after page. Nouveau Projet embodies the spirit of print magazines.

Earlier this year we chatted with Nicolas Langelier, founder and editor-in-chief of Nouveau Projet–part of our Off the Page / En Marge interview series with National Magazine Award winners. You can read the original interview in French, or continue below for an excerpt translated into English.

NMAF: What was your reaction to receiving a nomination for Magazine of the Year for Nouveau Projet?

Nicolas: It was both a great surprise and a source of pride. For a small independent magazine that has been published only for a few years, even to be a finalist for Magazine of the Year is an unexpected honour. I am grateful to the National Magazine Awards Foundation for taking into account the diversity of magazines and their resources.

NMAF: To what do you attribute the early success of the magazine?

Nicolas: From the start our obsession has been quality in everything we do, from the choice of our subjects to our presence on social media. Our readers can really sense this constant concern for quality; it’s something they are willing to pay for.

It also seems to me that we have a niche to fill in the Canadian media landscape. With the general trend towards shorter texts, more sensational topics, faster publishing — this environment has created a place for people to counter that trend with quality content.

Our readers tell us that we are doing a great job in delivering this, and I think it is because we offer something that many publications think their readers don’t need.

NMAF: The excellence of Nouveau Projet has been recognized with several National Magazine Awards, including Art Direction of an Entire Issue, Words & Pictures and Magazine of the Year. What impact do these awards have for you and the magazine?

Nicolas: It’s certainly something that has had a positive impact for us, perhaps more by raising our profile among others in the Canadian magazine industry than among the public, which may not know them well yet (in Quebec at least). This recognition from our peers, advertisers, and current and future contributors means a lot to us.

Nicolas: They are essential. To have these kinds of institutions that value excellence and support the entire industry; it seems absolutely necessary. This is true for breeders of cows, for architects, and for those who create magazines: we need these incentives to compare ourselves with the talent and rigour present elsewhere in our industry, and to demand the best from ourselves.

NMAF: What does the future hold for Nouveau Projet and your publishing house, Atelier 10?

Nicolas: I want us to become a reference for culture and ideas in Quebec–and the rest of the Francophonie, eventually. To publish the best authors and visual artists, and discover and engage new readers. To produce various types of publications, always with great rigour and quality.

I still believe much in paper as a medium to convey ideas, information, and values. Those who predict the death of print–I want to prove them wrong. This does not mean that we should neglect digital opportunities; everything we do is also available in digital versions. But paper has a special place in my heart, and I think this is also the case for the majority of the public. We enjoy both!

Ultimately, I hope that our work has a positive impact at the cultural, social and intellectual levels. If we do all this, in the face of obstacles and difficult conditions, it is because we believe that changes are needed in our society, and we also believe that the media continue to have a key role to play in advancing discussion and debate. Yes, the past fifteen years have been tough on our industry, but it’s up to us to find ways to continue to fulfill our role. It would be extremely unfortunate for humanity if a simple change in the economic environment deprived us of the essential service that is quality media.

This interview has been edited and adapted from its original French, published in January 2015. Discover more about Nouveau Projet at nouveauprojet.com and on Twitter @nouveau_projet.

“Nouveau Projet is a near-perfect symbiosis of subject matter, expert writing and exceptionally original design. It sets itself apart thanks to inspiring themes and bold covers. The magazine offers a fresh take on the genre and dares to cover topics that are virtually absent in other media. The energy of the editorial team is tangible page after page. Nouveau Projet embodies the spirit of print magazines.” — National Magazine Awards jury

“Tonight the National Magazine Awards Foundation recognized the outstanding work of Canada’s magazine writers, editors, designers, photographers and illustrators. The nominees and winners of this year’s awards have set new standards of excellence in Canadian media, and on behalf of those working in our wonderful industry and magazine readers across the country, we congratulate them.” — Joyce Byrne, President, NMAF

ABOUT THE 38th ANNUAL NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDSMore than 450 members of the Canadian magazine industry—publishers, editors, art directors, writers, photographers, illustrators, circulators and more—joined esteemed sponsors and other guests at the 38th annual National Magazine Awards gala, at the Arcadian Court in Toronto, presented by CDS Global.

This year more than 200 Canadian magazines submitted their work to the National Magazine Awards. Magazines from all three coasts—in both official languages, print and digital—participated this year, entering work created by more than 3000 writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, art directors and other creators. This year saw growth in participation from Quebec and Alberta magazines, as well as remarkable participation from Canada’s literary and arts magazines through the help of the NMAF’s Small Magazine Rebate program.

The NMAF’s 241 volunteer judges have nominated a total of 326 submissions from 80 different Canadian magazines for awards in 43 written, visual, integrated and special categories. More than $53,000 in cash prizes have been awarded to Canadian creators.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe National Magazine Awards Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors and suppliers.

THANK YOU LAINEY & JESS!The NMAF (and all guests of the National Magazine Awards) are grateful to Lainey Lui & Jessica Allen for their incredible performance tonight.

PHOTOS, VIDEOS, INTERVIEW & MORECheck back next week for photos, videos and more from the 38th annual National Magazine Awards gala.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS FOUNDATIONThe National Magazine Awards Foundation is a bilingual, not-for-profit institution whose mission is to recognize and promote excellence in the content and creation of Canadian print and digital publications through an annual program of awards and national publicity efforts. Discover more at magazine-awards.com.

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In just 3 days the Canadian magazine industry will gather in Toronto for the most anticipated event of the year: the 38th annual National Magazine Awards! The nominees have been announced and the NMAF will present the awards on Friday, June 5 at the Arcadian Court. [Tickets & Gala Info].

And the one award to end them all: Magazine of the Year. This award goes to the publication that most consistently engages, surprises and serves the needs of its readers. The National Magazine Awards jury has named 3 finalists for this award.

Nouveau Projet
Published by Atelier 10, Montreal

A cultural and societal magazine whose mandate is to publish new, sophisticated texts that aspire to help us understand the issues of our times and live a more balanced, satisfying and meaningful life, Nouveau Projet is a catalyst for and a gathering point of the progressive forces of Quebec in the 2010s, encouraging public discussions while looking at our times with inquisitive and sincere eyes. Nominated for 7 National Magazine Awards this year, including Art Direction, Best Single Issue and Personal Journalism.

Nouveau Projet is a near-perfect symbiosis of subject matter, expert writing and exceptionally original design. It sets itself apart thanks to inspiring themes and bold covers. The magazine offers a fresh take on the genre and dares to cover topics that are virtually absent in other media. The energy of the editorial team is tangible page after page. Nouveau Projet embodies the spirit of print magazines. — National Magazine Awards jury

The Walrus
Published by The Walrus Foundation, Toronto

Canada’s premier general-interest monthly with a mandate to publish the most authoritative and insightful stories about our country and its place in the world, The Walrus advances the national conversation on the social and political concerns of our time in a range of genres, from world-class journalism and photography to award-winning fiction and poetry and whimsical spot illustration. Nominated for 30 National Magazine Awards this year, including Investigative Reporting, Photojournalism and Magazine Covers.

The Walrus fulfills its editorial mission in pursuit of journalistic and visual excellence while challenging preconceived ideas. The magazine takes the pulse of our society and offers bold editorial choices and in-depth reporting that establishes its high intellectual standing. This standard bearer for quality writing and design never disappoints. — National Magazine Awards jury

UPPERCASE
Published by UPPERCASE Publishing Inc, Calgary

The ultimate magazine for the creative and the curious, publishing inspiring concepts in arts, crafts, typography and design with an affinity for vintage ephemera, UPPERCASE has built a thriving national and international reputation delivering on its mandate to help readers achieve their artistic dreams. Bound in a celebrated, one-of-a-kind magazine design, the magazine has previously won a National Magazine Award for its Art Direction and was also a finalist for Magazine of the Year in 2012.

UPPERCASE is a true gem: a finely chiselled piece of work that is sure to rouse the inner artist in each of us. This one-of-a-kind magazine presents a lifestyle and a way of self-expression through inspiring themes that are accessible and carefully curated. The passion of this team for their “craft” (and crafts!) comes through loud and clear on every single page. The production value, both editorial and visual, is remarkably high and its international scope is refreshing. — National Magazine Awards jury

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Magazine readers increasingly seek out great content on their tablets, and the National Magazine Awards Foundation recognizes the outstanding efforts that publishers put into developing the magazine tablet platform with the award for Tablet Magazine of the Year.

This year more than 200 Canadian magazines submitted their work to the National Magazine Awards. Magazines from all three coasts—in both official languages, print and digital—participated this year, entering work created by more than 3000 writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, art directors and other creators. This year saw growth in participation from Quebec and Alberta magazines, as well as remarkable participation from Canada’s literary and arts magazines through the help of the NMAF’s Small Magazine Rebate program.

The NMAF’s 241 volunteer judges have nominated a total of 326 submissions from 80 different Canadian magazines for awards in 43 written, visual, integrated and special categories. The Gold, Silver and Honourable Mention awards will be announced at the Arcadian Court in Toronto on June 5, at the 38th annual National Magazine Awards gala presented by CDS Global. More than $53,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to Canadian creators.

BEST MAGAZINE BRAND
A new award for 2014-2015, the award for Best Magazine Brand will go to the publisher whose brand best delivers on their editorial mandate through at least three platforms, which may include a print or digital magazine, a website, SIP(s), mobile app(s), tablet, social media, television shows, radio broadcasts, live events, innovations in print or digital media and other forms of audience engagement. This year’s nominees are:

Cottage Life Published by Cottage Life Media, a division of Blue Ant Media Partnership

Les Affaires Publié par TC Transcontinental / TC Media

Spacing Published by Spacing Media

BEST NEW MAGAZINE WRITERSponsored by Reader’s Digest Foundation

Genna Buck, Finding a Place, Maisonneuve

Nicholas Cameron, Life Sentence, Maisonneuve

Emily McKibbon, Latencies, The New Quarterly

BEST NEW ILLUSTRATOR OR PHOTOGRAPHER

Min Gyo Chung, Under The Climate, Corporate Knights

Hudson Christie, A Portrait of the Artist with Testicles in Hand, Maisonneuve

Kiana Hayeri, Mission Accomplished, Report on Business

FOUNDATION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Announced on April 30, this year’s recipient of the NMAF Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement, sponsored by Alliance for Audited Media, is publisher, circulator and industry leader Michael Fox.

Read more about Michael Fox and send us your comments about Michael to be included during the celebration of his remarkable 40-year career in Canadian magazines at the NMA Gala on June 5.

TOP NOMINATED MAGAZINES

MAGAZINES NOMINATED FOR THE FIRST TIMEMagazines nominated for their first National Magazine Award in 2015 include Avenue Edmonton, Cornerstone, CPA Magazine, ETC MEDIA, Fairmont, Glass Buffalo, Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Naître et grandir, Nature sauvage, Room Magazine, and S/Style & Fashion.

CREDIT CHANGES
Email staff@magazine-awards.com to make any credit changes to your nomination. The deadline for credit changes is May 8, 2015.

TWITTERFollow the buzz on our Twitter feed (@MagAwards) and use the hashtag #NMA15 to keep up with the conversation about this year’s National Magazine Awards.

GALA TICKETS
The Gold, Silver and Honourable Mention awards will be announced at the Arcadian Court in Toronto on June 5, at the 38th annual National Magazine Awards gala presented by CDS Global. More than $53,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to Canadian creators. Tickets are on sale now.

This year’s Master of Ceremonies will be announced next week.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe National Magazine Awards Foundation acknowledges the financial support the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario, and the Ontario Media Development Corporation. The NMAF would like to thank its sponsors including Alliance for Audited Media, CDS Global, CNW Group, Cottage Life Media, Impresa Communications Ltd, the Lowe-Martin Group, Masthead Online, Monnet Design, Reader’s Digest Foundation, Rogers Publishing, Rolland Enterprises, and Transcontinental Print. The NMAF gratefully acknowledges its suppliers and its contributors who donated gifts in kind to support the awards program. We thank them for their generosity, interest and expertise.

Winning Gold awards for Columns, Illustration, Reader Service, and Department, Silver awards for Covers, Profiles and Nature & Environment, and an Award of Merit for Essays, Cottage Life continued an incredible year of recognition for its outstanding journalism.

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When the lights came up on the final prize of the 2013 National Magazine Awards, the 500 gala guests at The Carlu and the thousands following the show on Twitter leaned in to hear the following words: “The winner of the award for Magazine of the Year: Cottage Life.”

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The National Magazine Awards Foundation is a bilingual, not-for-profit institution whose mission is to recognize and promote excellence in the content and creation of Canadian print and digital publications through an annual program of awards and national publicity efforts.

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The 38th National Magazine Awards Gala has been named one of the Top 5 Media & Literary events in Toronto for 2015.